The Efficacy of Different Immobilization Times After Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial on the Comparison of the Treatment Outcomes of Different Immobilization Times After the Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture

This study is a prospective randomized controlled clinical study. After the Achilles tendon rupture repaired by our suture technique, patients were randomly divided into 4 groups, and the brace fixation time was 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively, to study the difference in efficacy between the groups.

This prospective randomized controlled clinical study is designed to compare the treatment outcomes of different immobilization times by dividing the patients into four groups-A, B, C, and D-based on the amount of immobilization time (0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively) that include a similar rehabilitation protocol. The inclusion criteria are patients with an acute closed single-legged complete Achilles tendon rupture, and an age of 18 to 60 years. The exclusion criteria are patients with prior Achilles tendon rupture or other situations that affect their lower limb functions or tendon healing (e.g., autoimmune disease, diabetes mellitus, systemic corticosteroid treatment). Other exclusion criteria are an inability to complete our suture technique (e.g., the distance from the rupture site to the Achilles tendon insertion is less than 3.5 cm), or those without rehabilitation or follow-up outcomes. All patients will be treated surgically with the same suture technique and undergo a similar rehabilitation protocol after the brace is removed.

The heel rise height is measured as the distance from the ground to the heel when the patient lift the heel while keeping the knee straight. The recovery time is noted when the SHRH is similar to that of the opposite leg.

The ATRS includes 10 items; each item has a score ranging between 0 and 10 on a Likert scale, with 100 indicating no major limitations.

Inclusion Criteria: acute closed single-legged complete Achilles tendon rupture age of 18 to 60 years. Exclusion Criteria: patients with prior Achilles tendon rupture or other situations that affected their lower limb functions or tendon healing (e.g., autoimmune disease, diabetes mellitus, systemic corticosteroid treatment). an inability to complete our suture technique (e.g., the distance from the rupture site to the Achilles tendon insertion was less than 3.5 cm) those without rehabilitation or follow-up outcomes.